Centcom Commander Outlines Regional Challenges

The general briefed the committee on Centcom’s budgetary requirements and its posture.

"It is an area of great contrast and contradiction," Votel said of the Middle East, Central and South Asia, and the area known as the Levant.

Howitzer Fire

Soldiers assigned to the Field Artillery Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, fire their M777 howitzer on Firebase Saham, Iraq, Dec. 3, 2018. The 3rd Cavalry Regiment is deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, working by, with and through the Iraqi security forces and coalition partners to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria in designated areas of Iraq and Syria.

A student watches an explosive ordnance disposal demonstration during training at the Besmaya Range Complex, Iraq, Dec. 16, 2018. The exercise was the last assessment needed for students to graduate from Iraq’s Counter Terrorism Service academy as operators.